“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol 

The Art of Art

Looking closer at the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, a period during which artists, architects, politicians, scientists, and writers embraced humanism, bringing their society from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The Renaissance

Culture

Dan Brown&rsquo;s novel&nbsp;The Da Vinci Code has been thoroughly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/books/art-architecture-does-the-da-vinci-code-crack-leonardo.html?pagewanted=all">debunked</a> as being nothing but a &ldquo;beach book&rdquo; with no basis in reality (despite Brown&#39;s claims of a scholarly pedigree). Brown&rsquo;s become something of a joke to actual art history scholars, mainly because he made the general public start thinking there were mysterious codes and symbols in Renaissance art&mdash;and hidden meaning in art in general&mdash;when there largely isn&rsquo;t. There&rsquo;s no doubt, of course, that artists use symbolism&nbsp;in their work and have for centuries, but it&rsquo;s not the coded biblical messages and prophesies that a lot of people think.

There are, however, other examples of hidden&nbsp;meanings, messages, and &ldquo;Easter eggs&rdquo; in Renaissance art that are pretty damn cool, even if they don&rsquo;t tell us when the world will end or where the treasure is hidden. Read on for some of the coolest&mdash;and totally legit&mdash;examples of secrets hidden in Renaissance art.

13 Symbols and Codes Hidden in Renaissance Art That You Never Would Have Noticed

Artwork

Secret Symbols and Codes in Renaissance Art

Kellen Perry

Did you read that article that linked so-and-so to that guy from the thing? Or see the video about how this is the same as that? Come on, let's weave some tangled webs!

It's a Conspiracy

Conspiracies

This list is for all you&nbsp;fans of&nbsp;The Da Vinci Code who&nbsp;can&#39;t get enough of&nbsp;art conspiracy theories. If these theories are to be believed, all these famous works of art&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/renaissance-art-symbols-and-codes/kellen-perry">hidden meanings</a>&nbsp;or clandestine scandals surrounding them. Many are da Vinci&#39;s, but the famous Italian polymath certainly wasn&#39;t the only artist who knew how to hide a secret in&nbsp;plain sight.

Some of the&nbsp;theories on this list are pretty <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/antikythera-mechanism-theories/jenniferlennon">bizarre</a>, but if you&#39;ve found your way here, you&#39;re probably okay with that. These ideas are rife with speculation; art historians, stick with your books and academic journals. Here you will find only wonder at the potential of the world and&nbsp;myriad forgotten histories and secret messages buried all around us. Absent uncovering a note from the artist&nbsp;specifically detailing&nbsp;his intentions, there&#39;s no way to prove any of these famous art conspiracies are true. But it&#39;s fun to think about how these famous artists may have left hidden messages for us.

13 Conspiracy Theories About Famous Paintings

Katherine Ripley

Witchcraft

Witches are a haunting subject, and witches depicted in art reflect just how much the magical, folkloric&nbsp;beings have frightened people throughout history. From broomsticks to melting pots to backwards goats, witches in art are nearly as daunting as the stories that have been passed down for centuries.

Although films and TV shows such as Hocus Pocus and&nbsp;Sabrina the Teenage Witch&nbsp;give us fun-loving, energetic, and distinclty human witches, paintings and wood carvings of&nbsp;witches in artwork often reveal the cultural&nbsp;fear&nbsp;that inspired tragic events such as the Salem Witch Trials.&nbsp;

Witch images in art can be creepier than an Addams family dinner, but they&#39;re also reflections of historical anxieties. These portrayals demonstrate just how deep the association between the Devil and the craft runs. These witches are not wearing crystals or growing vegetables - they&#39;re preparing their next sacrifice.

20 Haunting Portrayals Of Witches In Art

General

Samantha Dillinger

&quot;You can either buy clothes or buy pictures,&quot; Gertrude Stein told Ernest Hemingway, according to his memoir&nbsp;A Moveable Feast. And if you purchased one of the most expensive paintings ever sold, it&#39;s a solid bet you bought a&nbsp;picture&nbsp;of a woman without clothes. Yes, undressed women&nbsp;are the subject of several of the <a href="/list/best-paintings-all-time/ranker-art" target="_blank">most valuable paintings</a> here, along with&nbsp;card players;&nbsp;a wealthy Amsterdam couple;&nbsp;the American flag;&nbsp;colors; and&nbsp;Jesus sporting long, curly hair.&nbsp;

A variety of artists are represented, living and passed on, including Pablo Picasso (with a whopping five paintings on the list), Jasper Johns, and Claude Monet - whose painting here is not even one of <a href="/list/claude-monet-best-paintings/ranker-art" target="_blank">his most popular</a>. Every one of the paintings on this list cost more than $100 million. That&#39;s a lot of clothes. But fine art is priceless, right?

The Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold

Alby Thompson

Wondering exactly what—or who—you'll see after you die? Here are some ideas.

Imagining the Afterlife

From the Middle Ages to modern times, artists using many different mediums have wondered what Hell looks like and what exactly goes on there. But because no one in real life has ever visited and returned, the only ideas humanity has about the underworld are paintings of Hell. According to the Bible, it&#39;s a place full of fire where sinners are tormented and punished. Many early <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/terrifying-paintings-of-hell/lea-rose-emery" target="_blank">paintings featuring Hell</a> are terrifying&nbsp;and reflect&nbsp;the Bible&#39;s belief that Hell is a horrible place no one wants to visit.

Hell in art, however, has changed over time as ideas about religious beliefs and world events have led people to develop different attitudes towards the subject. Since art tends to follow the ideals of society, a visual evolution of Hell occurred as the Middle Ages evolved into the Renaissance, which in turn, inspired art movements like Romanticism and Symbolism in protest. Just like people have developed theories about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-is-heaven-really-like/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">what Heaven is like</a>, artists have formed their own ideas of Hell and shared them in their work. Whether they&#39;re full of burning people or a reflection of the artist&#39;s personal torment, humanity&#39;s visualization of Hell has clearly changed along with history.

How Hell Has Been Visually Represented Throughout History

What Hell Looked Like Throughout History

Erin McCann

&quot;Art&quot; is a subjective phrase. Some people hear it and think of music, beauty, or anything that inspires a burning passion. Others hear it and picture rich, snooty folks sipping rich, snooty wine and eating the richest, snootiest cheeses. Both interpretations can be correct.

Genuine art is an expression of the artist, but once a <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-incredible-pieces-of-artwork-ever-made?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">piece of art</a> is out in the world, it takes on a life of its own. You may already be familiar with the&nbsp;Mona Lisa,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Girl with the Pearl Earring, or La&ouml;coon, but each of these masterpieces is surrounded by a wealth of history - and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-painting-conspiracy-theories/katherine-ripley" target="_blank">sometimes intrigue</a>.

The following fun facts about art may make you see these popular works in a new light. Vote up the ones you just learned today.

Facts We Just Learned About Famous Artworks That Made Us Say 'Really?'

Pierce Nahigyan

Often housed in museums or as part of a private collection, artwork takes various forms.&nbsp;Paintings and sculptures adorn walls and occupy gardens around the world, attesting to the creativity and skill of men and women from the ancient world to the present.

You might know some of the most famous pieces of art - ancient Roman statues, Medieval paintings, and&nbsp;Renaissance works continue to be reproduced in books, shown in movies, and even parodied in popular culture.&nbsp;But what do they look like in context? How big is The Mona Lisa&nbsp;painting in real life? And just <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/height-of-famous-statues/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">how tall is Michelangelo&#39;s&nbsp;David?</a>&nbsp;

Photos that show what famous art is really like give you a sense of size and scale, but can also reshape how you see the creations entirely. Vote up the famous art&nbsp;that, amid their surroundings, give you a new appreciation of the work&nbsp;itself.&nbsp;

What 21 Famous Pieces Of Art Actually Look Like In Context

Melissa Sartore

Popular Opinion

There have been so many paintings in such a wide range of subjects and movements across history that it can be difficult to narrow a selection to the best paintings ever. This list of the <a href="/list/classical-paintings-zodiac/megan-summers" target="_blank">best paintings</a> in history includes the best Baroque period <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-famous-art-actually-looks-like-in-context/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">art</a>, the most famous Renaissance paintings, and even the most famous portraits.

Even though some of the paintings on this list may be from famous artists whose <a href="/list/most-expensive-painting-ever-sold/alby-thompson" target="_blank">works sell for lots of money</a>, like Picasso or <a href="/list/dark-origins-of-frida-kahlo-paintings/erin-wisti" target="_blank">Frida Kahlo</a>, you may also find some classic paintings you recognize from artists whose names you didn&#39;t know, like Jan Brueghel the Younger. There are even famous paintings that may be new to you, like Tiger by German Expressionist Franz Marc and Espa&ntilde;a y Filipinas by Juan Luna. From the smooth precision of painters like Peter Paul Rubens to the broad strokes of Matisse paintings, these famous art pieces are of the very best by the greatest painters of all time.

The Best Paintings Of All Time

The 200 Best Paintings Of All Time

Ranker Art

Things to See Around the World

Interesting

Whether carved, molded, or welded, these amazing statue creations are sure to inspire you. Some of these sculptures were made to memorialize historical events, while some are simply thought provoking pieces, and others are just there for fun and enjoyment. But all of the sculptural pieces in this list are incredible!Sculpture, the art or practice of shaping figures or designs, is a tradition as old as time. In Western culture, its use can be traced back to Ancient Greece, though most sculpture began thanks to religious traditions. One of the oldest and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sculptures-all-time/ranker-art?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous sculptures</a>, even today, is the Great Sphinx in Egypt. Giant sculptures such as the Sphinx were created to impress a ruler - the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-kings-queens-game-of-thrones/ranker-of-thrones?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">king or queen</a> or, in many cases, the gods.&nbsp;This list is full of wonderful, amazing, impressive, and interesting statues. Some, you can hardly believe are real. Big or small - they are all moving and inspiring in their own, unique way. Please enjoy and share these amazing pieces of art!

40 Beautifully Unique Statues From Around the World

The Most Amazing Statues in the World

www.twitter.com/amberhubert

Most Amazing Statues in the World | Photos of Cool Sculptures

Amber Hubert

Overrated

This is a list of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-overrated-movies-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the most overrated</a> paintings ever created, ranked from most overrated to least overrated. These are the works of art that have been acclaimed despite not being all that great. Because this is a crowdranked list, Ranker visitors can make their own lists and vote on the artwork to help decide where individual paintings belong on the list. Remember, voting up a certain painting means that you think it is overrated, and belongs on the list. Voting against means you like it and don't think that it is all that overrated.

Portrait of Henry VIII

The Most Overrated Paintings of All Time

Ranker Community

Movies inspired by paintings&nbsp;extract the most iconic qualities of their&nbsp;source material and transform them into something more modern and altogether unique. An ancient, towering god&nbsp;becomes a giant robot in Guillermo del Toro&#39;s Pacific Rim. A biblical scene is updated for 1970s New York City bar culture in Martin Scorsese&#39;s&nbsp;Mean Streets.&nbsp;While some directors rely on the style and moods evoked by certain artists, others make movies based on paintings that&nbsp;focus on a specific piece&nbsp;of art to&nbsp;shape everything from set design to costuming to narrative developments.

Whether it&#39;s an animated Disney flick geared toward children, an iconic&nbsp;horror feature&nbsp;that borders on exploitation, or <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-artist-biopics/ranker-film" target="_blank">a biopic about a well-known artist</a>, movies inspired by paintings or other pictorial works are as plentiful and diverse as the world of visual art itself.

13 Movies Inspired By Works Of Art

Film

Megan Summers

Post-presidency, George W. Bush has been busy. Painting. In 2017, he even released a book of portraits entitled Portraits of Courage&nbsp;which features paintings of various American Military and Service heroes.

Below you&#39;ll get a peek at some of the paintings featured in the aforementioned book, as well as some of the more well-circulated George W. Bush paintings of world leaders, celebrities, and his&nbsp;bathroom. The leaders pictured range from&nbsp;his father,&nbsp;George H.W. Bush, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and less-flattering portrayals of figures&nbsp;such as Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.

All 33 George W. Bush Original Paintings That Were Made Public

Every Single George W Bush Original Painting Made Public, Ranked

Ashley Reign

Vincent <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-vincent-van-gogh-paintings/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Van Gogh paintings</a> are some of the world&#39;s best-known and most-loved pieces of art. The 19th century painter&nbsp;suffered from depression and poverty, but famously also created some world-famous works of art. From self-portraits to dreamy skyscapes, van gogh artwork has certainly made an impression on the art world.&nbsp;

The Vincent Van Gogh most famous artwork, The Starry Night, shows the incredible skill of an artist expressing movement, light, and emotion in his brushstrokes. The Vincent Van Gogh sunflowers are another beloved painting.&nbsp;

Which are&nbsp;the best Vincent Van Gogh paintings? Now is your chance to make your voice heard. Vote up the Van Gogh best paintings below.

Vincent Van Gogh's Greatest Works Of Art

The 25 Best Vincent Van Gogh Paintings, Ranked By Art Aficionados

Since the beginning of art history, Hell has been interpreted in paintings, photographs, literature, and philosophy. The various demons and underworld leaders are difficult to identify given the many different impressions artists have created. Although the inferno&nbsp;itself can be a fairly intimidating&nbsp;concept, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/terrifying-paintings-of-hell/lea-rose-emery" target="_blank">pictures of Hell</a>&nbsp;throughout history are even spookier than your darkest imagination.&nbsp;

As time has progressed, and art continues to change, modern interpretations of Hell have become even scarier, and often include pop culture references. The creepiest depictions of Hell might make you reconsider searching&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ways-to-summon-the-devil/brandon-michaels" target="_blank">how to summon a demon</a>, as it is unlikely you&#39;ll want to meet the beasts represented by these artists who you can find at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/tag/hell" target="_blank">DeviantArt</a>.&nbsp;

The Creepiest Modern Reimaginings Of Hell, Satan, And Demons

Bailey Brown

Galleries of cool, creative, and stunning artwork tattooed right on human skin.

Amazing Ink

While the practice of tattoos has been around for centuries, tattoos imitating watercolor painting are relatively new, as well as revolutionary. Watercolor tattoos imitate the brushstrokes, patterns, and style of paintings created in watercolors, in particular the vibrant colors and detail to hue and opacity. Watercolor tattoos have a distinct style, and the tattoos on this list are the most stunning, and will surely give you ideas for watercolor tattoos of your own.Many associate tattoos with black blocks of lines and tribal markings, or cheesy sayings in fancy font, but if you're looking for something a little different, check out the coolest watercolor tattoo designs on the list below. We find these <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/harry-styles-tattoos/tat-fancy?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">types of tattoos</a> incredibly beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

Breathtaking Watercolor Tattoos You've Gotta See

Best Watercolor Tattoos | List of Watercolor Tattoo Ideas

Jo Swo

Fascinating and unexpected art made of everything from staircases to shadows.

Art Appreciation

Good Stuff

In late March 2020, the <a href="https://twitter.com/GettyMuseum/status/1242845952974544896" target="_blank">Getty Museum offered this challenge</a> to its Twitter followers: re-create your favorite paintings with only the items in your house. For all the art lovers stuck in their houses during quarantine, the&nbsp;#GettyChallenge was a great way to join the online community and express themselves creatively.

Getty&#39;s Twitter featured <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/getty-painting-challenge/pierce-nahigyan" target="_blank">a ton of delightful re-creations</a>, some humorous, some technically astounding, and some featuring the &quot;artists&#39;&quot; furry companions. There were so many famous painting re-creations with pets, they deserved their own list. Enjoy these paw-sitively appealing responses to the Getty Challenge.

People Are Re-creating Famous Paintings With Their Pets – And It's Adorable

Pets Star In These Famous Painting Recreations

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